Rural Social Scheme

The Rural Social Scheme is a community work programme with a focus on the provision of direct services in the community. The aim of the Rural Social Scheme is to address certain issues in rural Ireland:

To provide income support for farmers and fishermen who are currently in receipt of long term

Social Welfare payments.

To provide certain services of benefit to rural communities by harnessing the skills and talents of the farmers participating on the scheme.

Participants will experience opportunities to improve existing, or develop new skills, and perform valuable work in the community.

The RSS provides additional resources to maintain and improve local amenities and facilities in rural communities.

While responsibility for the operation of the RSS lies with the Department of Social Protection, it is managed at a local level, on their behalf, by the Local Development Companies.

There are a total of 2,600 placements on the Rural Social Scheme throughout the country. Places on the scheme are allocated in ratio to the number of farmers in receipt of Farm Assist per region. Currently the allocation for County Leitrim is 100 places.